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BOE Vice-President Opposes Student Member Voting

May 4th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

Allegany County Board of Education Vice-President Robert Farrell tells WCBC News that he would not be in favor of allowing the student member of the board to have a vote. The issue surfaced following a recent meeting when the School Board was publicly criticized by student member Mitchell Septoff for taking action prior to his having been allowed to comment. Septoff told the board that students should be given more of a voice and more consideration prior to the board taking action. 15 of the state’s 24 school districts, plus the state education board, allow student members to have at least partial and/or opinion voting rights. School boards in Allegany, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Garrett, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot and Wicomico counties do not permit student members to vote on any issue or participate in closed session meetings. Farrell, appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, says while he appreciates the student member providing input- he would not favor allowing the student to vote…